Means for supporting and elevating automobiles in freight cars



July 4, 1939. E. w. HENRY ET! AL MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ELEVATING AUTOMOBILES IN FREIGHT CARS 4 Sheets-Sheef'l Filed Oct. 6, 1937 Ill/mm:

Err L352 M17612)" Thoma/51H Uer UM w July 4, 1939. g. w. HENRY ET AL 2,164,456

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ELEVATING AUTOMOBILES I N FREIGHT CARS Filed Oct. 6, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet? Ernest Zflfiem y, Qt T ham/ c2 15. Eve/"62$, QM HAM July'4, 1939.

E. W. HENRY ET AL MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ELEV ATING AUTOMOBILES IN FREIGHT CARS Filed Oct. 6. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 4, 1939. E. w. HENRY ET AL MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ELEVATING AUTOMOBILES IN FREIGHT CARS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J rez't,

Filed Oct. 6, 1937 ITIHUH Ill l ll'llI QM MM w FatenterlJnl1$193-9 I v v I UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND ELEVATING AUTOMOBILES IN FREIGHT CARS Ernest W. Hem-y, Battle Creek, Mich, and

Thomas H. Everett, Canton, Ohio Application October 6, 1937, Serial No. 167,606

16 Claims. (c1. 105-368) This invention relates to means for supporting of a freight car, 2 the ends of the car, 3 .the roof, and elevating automobiles in freight cars. The 4 the staggered door openings, 5 a supporting specific means for carrying out the invention inmember adjacent the roof, Ii the car floor and 'I clude a novel deck upon which an automobile the underframe generally.

a maybe supported and raised in elevated positions, As shownin the drawings, A designates the an arrangement of hoisting cables connected to deck as a whole which comprises substantially the deck and hoisting mechanism located on' the U-shaped side frame members 8 having inwardly deck itself. The deck shqwn inthe drawings is extending flanges 9 and outwardly extending of the type disclosed in the co-pending patent flanges III. I I represents a front end memberof l0 application of William H. Mussey, Serial No. 211,- inverted U-shape having on-the bottom thereof 10' 994, filed June 6, 1938, although it is understood a reinforcing plate I2. In the horizontal surface that our novel means for supporting and elevating of the member I I are openings I3 for. pockets for automobiles in freight cars can be used with other the reception of tie-down chains. I4 are reintypes of decks. In addition, this invention inforcing members for the end member II. Cen- Ii cludes a novel universal jointed suspension arm trally of the end member and on its front vertical hung adjacent the roof for supporting the tilted portion is a hook 14' for the reception of a loop end of the deck in proper position. I5 pivoted to the floor of the car. This arrange- Preferably in the use of this invention four ment is shown and described in detail in the automobiles are supported in acar for transporpending application of Helm'er and Henry, Serial tation, two on the floor back to back and two No. 162,802, filed September 7, 1937. On oppo- 20 tilted or semi-deckedin the car, one at each end. site sides of the hook I4 on the end member are The object of this invention is to provide a tie-down assemblies I6, the purpose of which will simple, rugged and inexpensive mechanism for be explained later. The rear end member I1 is loading automobiles in freight cars which perof U-shape formation and in its horizontal pormits free entrance through the'door of the car, tion are openings I8 for the tie-down assemblies 26 does not endanger the life of the operator while I9 which are suitably attached at 20 to the inner the decks are being tilted or elevated to the roof upstanding leg of the U-shaped end member II. .of the car and prevents damage to automobiles Within the end member H are chain pockets2I while being loaded. for the storage of tie-down chains. 22-22 and It will be understood that various changes and 23-23 are pockets for hold-down assemblies to 30 modifications may be made in the mechanism as be used in conjunction with floored automobile shown in the drawings without departing from to be explained more fully later on. the spirit of this invention and that the same are Supported upon each side frame member 8 is submitted for illustrative purposes only and not a continuous runway 24 for an automobile. The

in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention front portions 25 of therunways are supported 35 being defined in the appended claims. by the front end of the deck and the central por- In'the accompanying drawings in which like tion 26 of each runway is elevated as shown in numerals and letters of-reference indicate simi- Figure 4 and the rear ends 21 of the wheel runlar parts throughout the several views: ways rest upon the rear end members of the deck 40 Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a car, and are on the same lower level asthe front wheel 40 showing one automobile in semi-decked position supporting portions of the deck.

with a second car underneath, To support the elevated portion '26 of each run- Fig'ure 2 is a plan viewof the deck, way in its elevated position the inner portions of Figure 3 is a section on line 3-4 of Figure 2 each side member with its flange 9 is raised in looking in the directionof the arrows, order that it continues in contact with the ele- 46 Figure4 isa section taken through the line L4 vated central portion of the runways. In other of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, Words, the portions of the side members with the Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view ofthe hoisting flanges 9 are also higher at their central portions cables and drums, to correspond with the increasing height of the 50 Figure 6 is aside view of the suspension arm, central portion of the runways. Also the inner 60 Figure 7 is a front view of the suspension arm, leg of each U-shaped side frame member as it Figure 8- is a plan view of the winding mechincreases in height is also depressed outwardly anism located on the deck, and as at 28 as shown by the cross sectional view, Figure 9 is a sectional view of Figure 8. Figure 4. In other words, the inside leg of the Referring tothe drawings, I represents the side U-shaped side members increases in height and 66 a point 38' to the center of the deck and from there to point 31' the inside legs decrease in height and the horizontal portion increases in width. The depressions in the side frame members provide additional clearance for the entrance of the fourth automobile in the car, as to be explained later. It is understood that the flange 9 at the top of the side members is to be used for the purpose of spot weldingthereto the runways 24 and that this ,fiange follows the contour of the runways the entire distance. The elevated central portion of the runways is for the purpose of providing clearance for the floor automobile.

Also, it will be noted that the: runways on their inner edges at 29 are turned upwards to provide means for preventing the automobile tire from running off the runway while the automobile is being decked. The outer edges of the runways are flanged at 30 for the purpose of permitting it to be welded to the side members. Each rear end 3| of a side member of the deck extends beyond the wheel runways and the vertical sides of the U-shaped section are pressed to form a support 32 for end roller 33 which is journaled on pin 34.

Skids 35 are provided on the front end of each side frame member in order to prevent the front part of the deck from catching on the floor of the car as the deck is lowered from the roof. The end cross member I1 is arched centrally as at 36. The front end member I I may be similarly arched. The front end member II and rear end member l1 are flanged for spot welding to the side frame members as shown in the drawings.

The deck is supported and operated by a sub stantially U-shaped cable suspension arrangement, one continuous cable operating from eachside frame member of the deck as follows: Suitably attached at 31 adjacent the rear end of the side frame member of the deck is a cable 38 which runs upwardly and over pulley 39 journaled adjacent the roof and then parallel to the roof and over pulley 40. The cable 38 continues downwardly under pulley 4| journaled adjacent the front end of the side member of the deck and then back along the side member to winding drum 42 located substantially midway of the deck. Opposite attachment 31 of cable 38, is secured at 43 a second cable 44 to the rear end of the other side member of the deck. This cable runs up and over pulley 45 journaled opposite pulley 39, thence parallel to the roof over pulley 46 opposite pulley 40, thence downwardly and under pulley 41 adjacent the end of the other side member of the deck and opposite pulley 4| and then back along the side member to winding drum 48 which is opposite drum 42.

Winding drums 42 and 48 revolve with shaft 49, the shaft extending across the deck midway of its ends and passing through the side members 8 and under the wheel runways 24. Suitable bearings 58 are located at each end of the shaft and are supported by brackets 5| properly secured to the deck side members.

In order to revolve the shaft 49 with its drums 42 and 48 for winding thereon thecables 38 and 44, I provide the following means, operated either by motor or hand: Suitably welded or otherwise attached tothe side frame member adjacent its end is an openended bracket 52 which also acts as a housing for pulley 4i journaled on pin 53. Extending outwardly from bracket 52 is a motor holding body 54 having a socket 55. Extending the connecting horizontal portion of the U de-; creases in width from thefront end member at from each side of the body 54 is a motor armsupport 56,- each support having oppositely disposed hinged arms 51 having separated ends 51' in which are supported motor handles 58 of motor 59. The arms are held in the ends 51' by a pin as shown. When not in use these hinged arms 51 are swung parallel to the side frame members.

'Ihe'motor 59 may be of any conventional type and carries upon its revolving shaft a chain sheave 60, the shaft having a circular end portion which cooperates with socket in motor holding body 54 for the purpose hereinafter explained. Located on the side frame member longitudinally of the mechanism just described and between the middle of the frame and the front end member ii is a journal 6| having a bearing support on the side frame member. Ad-

jacent the outer end of this journal is a chain sheave 62 and between this chain sheave and the frame member on the shaft 6| is a second and smaller chain sheave 63 which two chain sheaves act as a gear reducing medium. Adjacent the outer side of drum 48 is a chain sheave 64 rotatable with drums 42 and 48. An endless chain 65 runs around small chain sheave 63 and larger chain sheave 64 and an endless chain 66 runs over chain sheave 62 and motor chain sheave when the motor is to be used for operating the winding drums 42 and 48. When the motor is not to be used but hand means only employed to operate the winding drums the chain 85 hangs from the chain sheave 62 in a convenient position for the 68 having therein two rows of staggered holes 69..

Each arm is suspended from the car side near the roof from any suitable member, such as 5. The member 5 is provided with a bracket 10 having an outstanding flange 1| provided with an opening 12. Secured to the top of the suspension arm is a loop 13 which when cooperating with the opening 12 provides universal movement for the arm 51.

In the use of the deck it is necessary to raise, guide and hold the rear end of the deck in certain elevated positions. To provide for this the following means are employed: As already stated,

each rear end 3| of a side frame member of the deck is provided with pressed-in portion 32 for the purpose of supporting a roller 33. Each roller travels in a track-way comprising a Z-bar 14 and the opposite side of the pressed-in portion 32 is guided by an angle 15. The Z-bar and angle are suitably supported by the endof the car, the Z-bar running from adjacent the car floor to the roof and the angle from adjacent the car floor to a point approximately half the distance between the floor and the roof.

Each angle 15 is provided with openings 15 for the reception of a pin 11 and each Z bar is also provided with openings corresponding to those in the angle. The angle 15 and Z-bar 14 thus provide a track-way for the ends of the side frame members and rollers 83. This construction is shown and described in detail in the above mentioned Helmer and Henry pending application.

The operation of the entire device is as follows:

Assuming that four automobiles are to be loaded the angle 15 for the deck at the opposite end of the car. until the rollers 33 rest upon the pins I1 and the front end of the deck rests upon the floor. The automobile is then backed onto the deck and secured thereto by two rear flexible tie-downs 18 running from tie-down assemblies Hi. The front end of the deck is then raised placing the .deck in a horizontal position with respect to the car 'floor. The rear endof the automobile is then lashed to the deck through the medium of tiedowns running from the tie-down assemblies i9.

To raise the front end of the deck by motor 59 the circular end portion 60' of the motor shaft is inserted in socket 55in the motor holding body 54, the handles 58 of the motor resting upon the hinged supporting arms 51. Through the connection of the chain sheave 60 of the motor and the chain sheave 62 by endless chain 66, and through the connection of chain sheave 63 with sheave 64 by endless chain 65, the drums l2 and 4B are revolved upon the operation of motor 59.

The rear end of the deck having been indexed it follows that by winding the flexible members 38 and 44 upon the drums 42 and 48 respectively, the

front end of the loaded deck will be raised adjacent the roof of the car. After the front end of the deck is thus raised it is held in position by suspension arms 61. To assist in guilding the deck when being raised sway bars 80 are provided on the side of each deck midway its ends.

When the car is to be used for other purposes than shipping automobiles the decks are raised to the roof of the car, the ends of the suspension arms being placed on brackets 13 and due to the flexibility of the suspension arms the free ends of the arms swing toward the center of the car when the deck is being raised.

If it is found necessary to load an automobile on the deck while the deck is resting on the floor,

the loop i5 is thrown over the finger M on the fron end member of the deck, thus holding the front of the deck to the floor. The rear end of the deck with the automobile lashed thereon is then raised to its proper indexing point and held in that position by pin I1. Thereafter the front.

rear end is properly indexed and the front end rests on the floor. The second automobile is then backed onto this desk and lashed down with four flexible tie-downs similar to those indicated by.

18. .The loaded deck is then raised to its tilted shipping position as just described and suspension arms 68 fastened to the deck to support its front end.

The thirdand fourth operations consist of running two automobiles-the third and fourthon the floor of the car, one under each of' the tilted automobiles, the front end of the auto mobiles facing the. ends of the freight car. The automobiles resting on the floor of the freight car are lashed by tie-downs 19, running from tiedown assemblies 22, similar to tie-downs 18.

From the above it will be seen that each deck carries its own motor driven mechanism 00- operating with the-cables to raise and lower the deck. Having this mechanism on the deck permits the deck and mechanism to be assembled as a whole and to be easily installed in a car with a minimum amount of alteration to the car. Also The deck at this end is then lowered" at times when his found necessary to operate the deck by hand the conversion from motor drive may be quickly accomplished. And by holding or indexing the front or rear end of the deck, the unattached end of the deckmay be raised or lowered speedily and efllciently by the particular arrangement of cables shown and described. Moreover, due to the rear indexing of the deck and itssu'pport at its forward end by the suspension arm the deck cannot move longitudinally in the car and due to the front and rear tie-down arrangement the automobile cannot move longitudinally with respect to the deck. The omission of this longitudinal movement is a great advantage in preventing damage to the automobile in the car under shock. Also, the tops of the automobiles under the tilted decks do not extend above the decks but owning to the curvature of the inside legs of the side frame members and the arching of the front end members ample clearance is provided for the top of.

the automobile under each deck.

What we desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is,

1. Means for supporting and elevating an-automobile in a freight'car comprising a-deck upon which the automobile is held in position, flexible members attached to said deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, winding mechanism upon said deck inmembers attached to said deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, a shaft journaled on the deck transversely and substantially midway thereof, drums fixed upon opposite ends of said shaft and connected to said flexible members, winding mechanism upon said deck cooperating with said shaft and drums, and means for operating said winding mechanism whereby said flexible members are wound upon said drums.

3. Means for supporting and elevating an automobile in a freight car comprising a deck upon which the automobile is held in position, flexible members attached to said deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, a shaft journaled on the deck transversely and substantially midway thereof, drumsflxed upon-opposite ends of said shaft and connected to said flexible members, mechanism on said deck for rotating said drums including endless chains and chain sheaves and a motor supported by the deck for drivingsaid mechanism.

4. Means for supporting and elevating an automobile in a freight car comprising a deck upon which the automobiieis held in position, flexible members attached to said deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, a shaft journaled on the deck transversely and substantially midway thereof, drums fixed upon opposite ends of said shaft and connected to said flexible members, mechanism on said deck for rotating said drums including a chain sheave fixed to said shaft adjacent one of the drums, a reducing gearjournaled to said deck in line with said chain sheave, an endless chain connecting said chain sheave and gear reducer, a second chain sheave Journaled adjacent the reducing gear, a motor supported by said deck having thereon a chain sheave, an endless chain conmobile in a freight car comprising a deck upon necting said last two mentioned chain sheaves and means whereby upon operation of the motor said mechanism revolves said drumsand' winds said flexible members thereon. '5. Means for supporting and elevating an autowhich the automobile is held in position, flexible members attached to said deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, a shaft joumaled on the-deck transversely and substantially midway thereof, drumsflxed upon: the opposite ends of the shaft and sheave the operation of which by hand revolves said two chain sheaves and drums and winds thereon the flexible members.

6. Meansfor supporting and, elevating an automobile in a freight car comprising a deck upon which an automobile is held in position, a shaft journaled on the deck transversely and substantially midway thereof, drums upon opposite ends of said shaft, 8. cable connected to an end corner of the deck and travelling over pulleys journaled adjacent the roof of the car and along one side thereof and thence downwardlyunder a pulley on the deck journaled longitudinally of the point of connection of the cable'to the deck and thence to one of said drums, a secondcable connected to the opposite end corner of the deck and travel- 7. Means for supporting and elevating an auto-- j mobile in a freight car comprising a deckupon which the automobile is held in position, flexible members attached to said deck and-cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, winding mechanism upon said deck connected to said flexible members and means for operating said winding mechanism.

' 8. A deck for supporting a wheeled vehicle in a freight car said deck having winding mechanism thereon for elevating said deck including flexible members cooperating with members adjacent the car roof said flexible members being attached to the deck and to the winding mcchanism, and operating means for said winding mechanism carried on the deck.

9. Apparatus for supporting a wheeled vehicle in an elevated position in a freight car comprising a deck having parallel wheel supporting longitudinally disposed runways, the central portion of said runways being elevated with relation to the ends, said deck having flexible members attached thereto, cooperating with pulleys in the ating said windingimechanism.

10'; Apparatus'for supporting wheeled yehicle in an elevated position i'n'a freight car, corriprising a deck having longitudinally disposed wheel supporting runways, means-carried by said deck for anchoring a wheeled vehicle thereto, winding mechanism carried by said deck including flexible members cooperatingwith pulleys in the upper part of the car said flexible members being at-' nism carried by said deck including a shaft journaled on the deck, drums fixed upon opposite ends of said shaft, flexible members attached to said deck and, to said drums, said flexible members I cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and on the deck, winding mechanism upon the deck cooperating with said shaft and drums, and means for operating said winding mechanism whereby said deck can be raised and lowered by the winding or unwinding of said flexible members on or off said drums.

12. Apparatus for supporting and elevating a vehicle in a freight car comprising a deck having winding mechanism mounted thereon and flexible members attached to said deck and said winding mechanism, and pulleys cooperating with said flexible members located adjacent the roof of the car.

13. Means for supporting and elevating an automobile in a freight car including a deck upon which the automobile is supported, a pair, of

flexible members each of which has one end attached to said deck, intermediate portions of each flexible member cooperating with pulleys in the upper part of the car and with a pulley on the deck, the opposite end of each flexible member 'being associated with winding mechanism j mounted on the deck.

14. Means for supporting and elevating an automobile in a freight car including a deck upon which the automobile is supported, a pair of flexible members attached at one end to said deck, each of said. flexible members extending upwardly from its point of attachment 'to the deck and cooperating with pulleys in the upper'part of the car, each flexible member extending from said pulleys to the deck and cooperating with a pulley on the deck, and winding mechanism carried by the deck with which the opposite end of each flexible memberis associated.

15. Means for supporting and elevating an automobile in a freight car including a deck, a pair of flexible members each of which is attached at one of its ends to said deck, each of said flexible members cooperating with pulleys adjacent the car roof and a pulley on the deck, the opposite end of each flexible member being secured to a winding drum mounted on said deck whereby the flexible members can be wound on said drums to elevate the deck.

16. Thecombination defined "by claim 15 ineluding operating mechanism for the winding drum carried by the deck.

- ERNEST W. HENRY.

THOMAS H. EVERE'I'I. 

